“Hey kid!” A voice behind me shouts. I stop and turn to address the nice man in the camo outfit.
“Yes, sir?” I reply with excitement leaking into my voice.
“Shouldn’t you be at home, it’s pretty late?”
“I’m on my way right now sir, I don't want to be late for curfew and the game is about to start soon. Are you gonna watch?”
“Definitely, did you hear about that new Israeli recruit? His stats are good but, that rookie from Africa already got his team a win last year, so he’ll be tough to beat,” The man said.
“True. But there’s a lot of talent this year, and people love to root for their favorites like that girl from italy who totally wasted the competition a couple years back.”
“Hmm, well I guess you’ll just have to go home and watch the game. The street lights are almost on kid, it’s getting dark.”
I looked around and noticed the bulbs in the street lamp nearest us starting to flicker. Time to go, “Bye, sir.” The man waved me away, I looked back at him walking to his vehicle wondering how he could stand to be near that thing everyday, the color was so boring! He was right though, I totally forgot about the rookie from Africa, man the game this year is going to be so awesome. And if that girl from Italy is competing than I already know who I’m betting on.
“Hey!” Said a female voice in a car cruising alongside me.
“Hey, how’s it going?” I asked kindly.
“Good, hey, aren’t you --?”
“--Late? Yeah, I am. I got caught up shopping than I was chatting with a Camo-guy about the game tonite.”
“No way! It’s gonna be awesome right?! Who you thinkin’ is gonna win this one?”
“I don't know, at first I thought the newbie from Israel, but I don't know if the girl from Italy is making a comeback...if so I’m going italian for sure!”
“Safe bet, but if that’s the case, I’m guessing you didn't hear about the ringer being brought in for Spain.” The girl said with an excited gleam in her eye.
“No! I didn’t hear about the ringer from Spain, but do you seriously think this person could win?” I asked incredulously.
“I don’t know, his stats are pretty convincing and I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes home gold.”
“Guess I gotta get home so I can watch and see for myself.”
“Same here! Catch you later.” The girl said as she hit the gas in her car and sped off.
Everyone is so excited about the game tonight, and why not, this is probably gonna be the best one. And maybe the last one too, which would be sad because this is the best event of the year. But people say it’s not nice or it’s too violent or that it shouldn’t even be called a sport. People all over the world are just so sensitive. So what if there’s a little blood involved and so what if a few people don't survive, that’s what makes the game so much fun! The suspense! And anyway it’s just TV. All you need to win is a good Trump card and you’re good to go.
The streetlights are almost all the way on now. Running down the street, feeling the wind slap my face, I still can’t seem to bank my excitement for the game tonight! I turn onto my street and see the neighbor who lives across from my house wave at me, I wave back.
He yells out, “You’re late!”
“I know, but not by much,” I yell back without stopping, until I’m panting on my doorstep fishing out my key. Which proves to be unnecessary as the door suddenly opens in front of my face and my mother pulls me through the entrance.
“Do you know how much trouble you could be in?” My mother asks me.
“Yes, but the stores were really packed today and I got distracted by some people on the way. I’m sorry.”
“Did you get what I asked for?”
“Yep, five T-shirts with ‘DT Card’ in big bold on the front of them. One for you and dad, one for me, two for the twins,” I said having finally caught my breath.
“Good go change into yours, your dinner is in the living room on the table, we’re just about to turn to the game,” Mom says, happily.
I grab my shirt and take the stairs two at a time to my room and change my shirt. Just as I’m straightening the shirt on my body I see the street lamp outside my window light up and stay lit. And just like every other night following the street lights, the automated voice rings out across the neighborhood.
“Curfew has officially started. If you are not in your homes at this time you will be arrested, stay in your homes until the designated release time. Thank you.”
I ran back downstairs and sat in the living room with my family, who all had their t-shirts on.
“I was perfectly on time, Mom,” I said, while my mother was closing the blinds. I could see Camo-guy from earlier doing his typical nightly patrols being followed by his buddy who operated the brownish Tank vehicle. I still think that’s such an ugly color. He was holding his gun now, he wasn’t when I was talking to him, but that was before curfew. Clearly, anyone out after curfew is a criminal and may need to be handled accordingly.
“Still cutting it a little close. Doesn't matter now, eat your food,” my mother said as she sat down next to my dad and turned the TV to the game.
“Yes, I’m so excited,” said both the twins at once.
“Shh,” my dad says as he turns up the volume of the TV, he loves the opening speech done by the president.
And now introducing President of the greatest nation on Earth, and founder of our most beloved game, War of Nations...President Donald Trump!
The announcer’s words bring about cheers in my household as President Trump explains the rules of the game, but he explains them every year; my family and I know them by heart: War of Nations consists of one person from each nation all around the world who will be a representative of said nation. Americans will not participate in the game because we have already proven to be the strongest nation in the world. The game will take place every year, and the winner will win an alliance for their nation with the United States, which will become void upon arrival of a new winner. This alliance means that the United States will help you during World War III, a war which is called to a truce during the time of the game. The game lasts for two weeks, which ever nation is the last left alive is the winner.
The rules are stated every year. World War III is happening currently, so the game is to decide who we’re gonna help. But no nation wins the game without a Trump Card. The Trump Card is a sign of favoritism he gives to one of the nation reps in the game, the reason he picks them always varies. And it’s possible to win without one...if you’re really good. But not likely. This year the Trump Card is going to the Israeli competitor...at least I know he won’t die the first day of the games. This year’s game is going to be so great! I picked up my bowl of hot porridge, leaned back on the couch and settled in for a long night of War of Nations. Now this, is the American dream realized, all thanks to President Donald Trump. Hail Trump!
